Municipal Affairs
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
Transportation and Works
October 1, 2010

Ministers Outline Provincial
Government’s Response to Impacts of Igor

Recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Igor is a
massive undertaking which has progressed well over the last 10 days,
especially given the wide-scale nature of the impacts, says the
Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and
Acting Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for
Emergency Preparedness. Minister Hedderson provided an overview today on
the Provincial Government’s response to the impacts of the hurricane and
was joined by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human
Resources, Labour and Employment, who provided details of her
department’s role in the response. The ministers were also accompanied
by Mike Samson, Chief Executive Officer for Fire and Emergency Services
- Newfoundland and Labrador.

"As we enter Day 10 of our recovery from a hurricane
that caused widespread and severe impacts to a large portion of our
province, our government’s focus remains reconnecting all communities
isolated as a result of Igor, providing emergency supplies as needed,
and helping individuals and communities recover from the worst storm
this province has seen in generations," said Minister Hedderson. "Given
the severity of the damage, we’ve come a long way in just 10 days. I
want to assure residents that progress will continue. My thoughts are
never far from those who have experienced significant losses and trauma
as a result of this catastrophic event."

Of the approximate 90 communities which were isolated
due to multiple road breakages and bridge washouts following the storm,
84 are reconnected, with the goal to have the remainder reconnected
within the coming days. Damage to road infrastructure was severe and
widespread, with road breaches numbering approximately 100. Nearly 90
per cent of those road breaches has been addressed.

"The incredible fact is that the landscape of our
province will be forever changed as a result of Hurricane Igor," said
Minister Hedderson. "We have, though, made tremendous progress in a
short time. I must remind residents that many of the road and bridge
repairs we have completed are temporary given that permanent repairs are
not possible in most cases due to the proximity of winter. It is
important that motorists exercise extreme caution, reduce their speed
and obey all signage on roadways in storm damaged areas. We will
continue our work to ensure roads are reconnected and will plan to take
up remaining work in the spring as we transition from temporary to
permanent repairs."

Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and
Labrador has coordinated efforts from the beginning, helping to lay out
a plan for departments, agencies and outside partners to assist those
most affected and most in need. Since Igor’s onslaught, more than 3,000
phone calls through the emergency toll-free line – answering questions,
directing calls and alerting the Emergency Operations Centre to urgent,
emergency situations. Contact is continuing with the communities still
without road access to major centres. Fire and Emergency Services has
co-ordinated the delivery of food, fuel and other essential supplies by
air, sea and land. This included more than 50 air drops to areas where
help was most needed.

"The Department of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment has been working diligently with Fire and Emergency Services
– Newfoundland and Labrador, to provide disaster assistance and
emergency social services for those who have been affected by Hurricane
Igor," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources,
Labour and Employment. "This assistance has ranged from providing
emergency accommodations to assisting with food distribution. Based on
our previous experience, the most significant role for our staff in the
coming weeks will be to provide counselling supports as individuals and
families come to grips with the impact Igor has had on their lives. The
department will continue to provide support for as long as necessary."

During the onset of the storm, Emergency Social
Services established reception centres in St. John’s, Clarenville and
Bonavista that housed over 100 displaced individuals. Shortly
thereafter, food distribution was coordinated by land, sea and air, and
nonperishable and perishable food supplies and water were distributed to
40 communities supporting approximately 4,000 people. The Department of
Human Resources, Labour and Employment has mobilized staff to deal with
the needs of persons affected by the hurricane and will identify and
assign resources as necessary to ensure any emerging needs are responded
to.

"As the residents of our province rebuild from the
enormous impacts of this hurricane, it is important that they have
accurate information from experts in the environmental and emergency
services fields," said Minister Hedderson. "Eleven regional information
sessions have been organized, bringing together representatives from
Fire and Emergency Services and Human Resources, Labour and Employment
to explain the Provincial Disaster Assistance and Emergency Social
Services Programs, and from other departments and agencies to provide
the supports and information required and requested by our residents."

Minister Hedderson also acknowledged the valuable
contributions of those who have partnered with the Provincial Government
in the response effort.

"I have to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the
many volunteers, workers, communities and organizations involved in our
rebuilding after Hurricane Igor – all have played an important role,"
said Minister Hedderson. "And of course, the contributions of our
Canadian Forces have been much appreciated by our government and the
people of our province."

Further information regarding the recovery from
Hurricane Igor can be found at www.gov.nl.ca, including information on
Disaster Assistance Program information sessions which will start on
Saturday, October 2.

NOTE: Please see below for links to maps and
photographs related to Hurricane Igor.

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